Jeffrey Herlings leads the MXGB charge to Preston Docks
By Team TMX on 2nd Apr 26
After a brutal season opener at Hawkstone Park, the reverberations from round one of the Motul ACU British Motocross Championship are still being felt as the series heads north to Preston Docks this Easter Sunday.
If Hawkstone was about survival, Preston promises something very different - tighter racing, sharper intensity, and, crucially, early championship statements either being reinforced or ripped apart.
In MX1, Ben Watson couldn’t have scripted a better return to domestic action. A composed 2-1 scorecard delivered him the overall win and the red plate, edging out Oriol Oliver, who matched him on points but lost out on countback.
But while Watson leads on paper, the reality is far more complex.
Defending champion Conrad Mewse is already within striking distance after a steady if unspectacular third overall, while Taylor Hammal showed he has the pace to disrupt the established order.
Then there’s the wildcard – Jeffrey Herlings.
The multiple world champion’s appearance at Preston adds a completely new dimension. Known for his relentless intensity and sand mastery, Herlings won’t just be racing for a result – he’ll be looking to set a benchmark. If he hits the front early, the question becomes: who can go with him?
Riders like Adam Sterry and Tristan Purdon will also be looking to rebound after solid but unspectacular top-six finishes at round one. Sterry, in particular, showed flashes of front-running speed that he’ll be keen to convert into podium contention.
Consistency proved decisive in MX2 at Hawkstone, and it was Gyan Doensen who capitalised with a 4-1 performance to secure the overall victory and early control of the championship.
Behind him, Charlie Heyman (3-3) and Joel Rizzi (5-5) demonstrated the value of staying upright on a day where many faltered.
But the real intrigue lies lower down the results sheet.
Veteran contender Tommy Searle endured a bruising opener, while Billy Askew left Hawkstone empty-handed after two DNFs. Both are far better than their scores suggest and both will be under pressure to respond immediately.
Meanwhile, Pro MX2 rookie Jamie Keith announced himself in style with a commanding race-one win before misfortune struck. If he can combine that raw speed with consistency at his home round of the series, he becomes a genuine podium threat.
Keep an eye, too, on rising talents like Ben Mustoe, Josh Vail, and Charlie Richmond - all of whom showed maturity beyond their years in treacherous conditions.
In the RFX 125cc class, Drew Stock was untouchable at Hawkstone.
A perfect 1-1 score gave him maximum points and early control of the standings, already eight clear of Harley Marczak, who impressed with 3-2 finishes.
Yet the gap in the championship doesn’t tell the full story.
Pre-season favourites Alfie Geddes-Green and Hayden Statt both showed front-running pace but were derailed by DNFs – leaving them with significant ground to make up already.
Wigan lad Joel Winstanley-Dawson capitalised on the chaos to secure a surprise podium, underlining a key theme from Hawkstone – consistency is king.
Round two at Preston Docks presents a contrasting challenge.
Where Hawkstone’s deep sand punished mistakes and rewarded endurance, Preston typically produces tighter, more technical racing. Starts, line choice, and racecraft will be at a premium - meaning the margins between victory and the midfield could shrink dramatically.
For more details check out mxgb.co.uk.
More like this…
Motocross Events April 2026
Find motocross events near you with our what's on guide for April.